8. Matsuri Kauai

The Buzz -- On this September day, a little bit of Japan is brought to life in Hawaii. Matsuri Kauai seeks to expose Hawaiians (and visitors, of course) to a slice of Japanese culture, complete with tea ceremony demonstrations, odori dancing, flower arranging, mochi pounding (the process by which rice cakes are made), and bonsai exhibits. Live music and entertainment keep things lively, and tempting Japanese nibbles are available to satisfy your appetite. At day's end, a Bon dance (a popular form of Japanese folk dancing) allows attendees to participate in the fun.